14 miles into the marathon, I checked my phone and e-mail for any possible late messages that may’ve come in from Sealy. I’d written to the Chamber of Commerce, the only two local motel contacts I could find on line, and a handful of churches (with on-line e-mail addresses). No response. It was time to make some phone calls.
I did a search for “churches” on Google Maps, and over a half dozen dots appeared on the map. I started calling from west to east, just as I’d be arriving. First up: the Lutheran church. I got a machine and left a message. Next: The Shepherd’s Way Church. TSW answered live and in person. I explained my project and request (for a safe place to camp or floor space in the church in which to sleep) to the nice lady who answered, and she asked me to hold for the pastor. After three minutes, I hear a charismatic southern voice in my ear: “Hello, this is Pastor Lucas.”
“Hello Pastor Lucas, my name is George Throop. I’m currently on a Walk of Inspiration Across America, from my home state of Washington to Washington, D.C. The Walk is designed to inspire to live healthier lifestyles, and thereby reduce the risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases. I’m nearly 3,000 miles into the Walk, and the reason I call you today is because I’m currently walking the marathon distance between Columbus and Sealy. I’ll be arriving to Sealy this evening, and I’m simply searching for a safe spot to place my tent or possibly floor space within the church to sleep overnight before continuing east tomorrow…”
“Well I’ll tell you what, how about we get you a motel room here in town– that way you can shower and sleep well overnight!”
“Wow– I really don’t need that much. Floor space somewhere would work great.”
“We got a ministerial alliance here in town, and we’d love to do this for you.”
We continued in conversation for a few minutes, and he told me that I simply needed to arrive at the church before 8 PM to receive the voucher from him (he lives 17 miles away).
“I’m a mile away from exit 709– putting me at 12 miles away from you. It’s 3:30 now, and I’ll definitely make it there before 8 PM.”
Well, though a nice, hour long break would have been nice after 14 miles, I had to return the road immediately so that I could make it to The Shepherd’s Way Church in time.
I showed up at 7:30 PM to a very warm welcome from Pastor Frank Lucas. We sat chatted for over an hour, about life, about spirituality and Scripture, and about listening to the “God Compass” within us.
Pastor Lucas gave me a voucher for a room at the Super 8 motel, and a meal voucher at Tony’s, the local truck stop restaurant– where I stopped short of finishing the greasy football’s worth of grateful food they piled onto my plate.
Though I was very ready to spend my one night in Sealy without any mattress, I’m now nestled in a warm motel room as the chilly, glove-wearing day dips into a 27-degree night.
Thank You God